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Why I love Texas Congressman Ron Paul
flat8
Member Posts: 887 ✭✭✭✭
And why I'm staying home if anybody else is nominated (which, I know is a given).
Read on . . .
Security and Liberty by Ron Paul
April 23, 2007
The senseless and horrific killings last week on the campus of Virginia Tech University reinforced an uneasy feeling many Americans experienced after September 11th: namely, that government cannot protect us. No matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many police or federal agents we put on the streets, a determined individual or group still can cause great harm. Perhaps the only good that can come from these terrible killings is a reinforced understanding that we as individuals are responsible for our safety and the safety of our families.
Although Virginia does allow individuals to carry concealed weapons if they first obtain a permit, college campuses within the state are specifically exempted. Virginia Tech, like all Virginia colleges, is therefore a gun-free zone, at least for private individuals. And as we witnessed, it didn't matter how many guns the police had. Only private individuals on the scene could have prevented or lessened this tragedy. Prohibiting guns on campus made the Virginia Tech students less safe, not more.
The Virginia Tech tragedy may not lead directly to more gun control, but I fear it will lead to more people control. Thanks to our media and many government officials, Americans have become conditioned to view the state as our protector and the solution to every problem. Whenever something terrible happens, especially when it becomes a national news story, people reflexively demand that government do something. This impulse almost always leads to bad laws and the loss of liberty. It is completely at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and rugged individualism.
Do we really want to live in a world of police checkpoints, surveillance cameras, and metal detectors? Do we really believe government can provide total security? Do we want to involuntarily commit every disaffected, disturbed, or alienated person who fantasizes about violence? Or can we accept that liberty is more important than the illusion of state-provided security?
I fear that Congress will use this terrible event to push for more government mandated mental health programs. The therapeutic nanny state only encourages individuals to view themselves as victims, and reject personal responsibility for their actions. Certainly there are legitimate organic mental illnesses, but it is the role of doctors and families, not the government, to diagnose and treat such illnesses.
Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens' lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons.
Read on . . .
Security and Liberty by Ron Paul
April 23, 2007
The senseless and horrific killings last week on the campus of Virginia Tech University reinforced an uneasy feeling many Americans experienced after September 11th: namely, that government cannot protect us. No matter how many laws we pass, no matter how many police or federal agents we put on the streets, a determined individual or group still can cause great harm. Perhaps the only good that can come from these terrible killings is a reinforced understanding that we as individuals are responsible for our safety and the safety of our families.
Although Virginia does allow individuals to carry concealed weapons if they first obtain a permit, college campuses within the state are specifically exempted. Virginia Tech, like all Virginia colleges, is therefore a gun-free zone, at least for private individuals. And as we witnessed, it didn't matter how many guns the police had. Only private individuals on the scene could have prevented or lessened this tragedy. Prohibiting guns on campus made the Virginia Tech students less safe, not more.
The Virginia Tech tragedy may not lead directly to more gun control, but I fear it will lead to more people control. Thanks to our media and many government officials, Americans have become conditioned to view the state as our protector and the solution to every problem. Whenever something terrible happens, especially when it becomes a national news story, people reflexively demand that government do something. This impulse almost always leads to bad laws and the loss of liberty. It is completely at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and rugged individualism.
Do we really want to live in a world of police checkpoints, surveillance cameras, and metal detectors? Do we really believe government can provide total security? Do we want to involuntarily commit every disaffected, disturbed, or alienated person who fantasizes about violence? Or can we accept that liberty is more important than the illusion of state-provided security?
I fear that Congress will use this terrible event to push for more government mandated mental health programs. The therapeutic nanny state only encourages individuals to view themselves as victims, and reject personal responsibility for their actions. Certainly there are legitimate organic mental illnesses, but it is the role of doctors and families, not the government, to diagnose and treat such illnesses.
Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference. Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens' lives. Liberty has meaning only if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and a false government security blanket beckons.
Comments
More Observations From/By Ron Paul:
Ron Paul on Homeland Security:
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Ron_Paul_Homeland_Security.htm
Source: SANE website 03n-SANE on Dec 31, 2003
It Can't Happen Here:
By Ron Paul - December 21, 2004
Although his time line is off, observe.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul225.html
Statement for the Government Reform Committee Hearing on National ID Card Proposal:
By Ron Paul - November 16, 2001
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/paul5.html
Here is a No-Nonsense Speech That Should Be Read in Its entirety. Liberals won't agree with it, but that's what's wrong with the system now, isn't it?
Searching for a New Direction:
HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
January 18, 2006
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2006/cr011806.htm
Why Do Evangelicals Ignore Ron Paul?
By Chuck Baldwin - March 02, 2007
He currently has a 100% rating from The Conservative Index, which is probably the most relevant and accurate reflection of a congressman's true conservative record out there.
Ron Paul has been the most outspoken defender of constitutional government in the entire congress-bar none.
Rather than letting themselves be used as dupes by the GOP machine, if America's evangelicals would determine to stand on principle by supporting only those candidates who most courageously champion our principles (regardless of their popularity, or lack thereof, with the Republican hierarchy), they might actually be able to bring real change to American politics.
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/23154.html
Ron Paul:
The libertarian-minded Texan is one of the most outspoken defenders of gun rights in Congress. He sees calls for restriction on guns as an affront to freedom.
More Guns Will Deter Shootings: April 17,2007
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0407/3556.html
Dr. Ron Paul:
Ron Paul 2008
2008 Homepage - http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Ron Paul's Presidential Campaign Committee - http://ronpaul.org/
And, FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD:
MySpace Profile - Ron Paul 2008,
http://www.myspace.com/ronpaul2008
Ron Paul has been the most outspoken defender of constitutional government in the entire congress-bar none.
AGREED.
Ron Paul for prez.
quote:Originally posted by Wagon Wheel
Ron Paul has been the most outspoken defender of constitutional government in the entire congress-bar none.
AGREED.
Ron Paul for prez.
Since I am registered as a Republican, I will vote for Ron Paul in the primaries.
It's sad though. Paul and Brownback are the only 2 candidates even remotely pro-gun, and nobody is talking about them.
After I made the above post I E-mailed Bill O'Reilly with a challenge (And the same Information) to have Ron Paul on his show to counter-balance the pathetic dribble he and Schumer put out last night. After the show last night I sent him the real truth about H.R. 297. I'm waiting to see what happens tonight. Even though I'm not one of his premium members he doesn't completely ignore me. I see something in a day or two normally. I just figure he has to do his own research before he commits to a story. I hope he takes the challenge.
He is actually very liberal in many of his opinions. I think if pressed, he would admit his interpretation of the 2nd Amendment is as a "collective" right, as the Libs claim.
I cannot listen to him anymore as he makes my blood boil.
No problem. As they say "No Balls, No Blue Chips" or "You'll never get anything you don't ask for". Unless he sees it, and he must not have, he'll never know. SO, according to some, I just wasted MY time and sent it to him anyway. Thank you for bringing it up.
Bill,
I must have somehow missed the show my friend is referring to here. If what he says is true, you do need to see this. So I'm sending it.
"I listened to O'Reilly for the first time in months last week. He DENIED that there was any actual gun confiscation in New Orleans! I was going to send him the ABC News video from GOA (http://www.gunowners.org/abcnews.mpg), but decided not to go to the effort as I figured he would just ignore it.
He is actually very liberal in many of his opinions. I think if pressed, he would admit his interpretation of the 2nd Amendment is as a "collective" right, as the Libs claim.
I cannot listen to him anymore as he makes my blood boil."
I do agree with him that you are getting too liberal and have a hard time staying with you myself. Must be your charming personality.
Seven Out of 10 GOP 2008 Hopefuls Could Be Excluded from TV Debate:
http://www.cnsnews.com:80/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200705/POL20070502b.html
Ron Paul Builds Campaign on the Web:-- 05/18/2007
If unscientific online polls were a determining factor, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas would easily be a top tier candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. But they aren't -- and he isn't...
http://www.cnsnews.com:80/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200705/POL20070518a.html
Ron Paul 2008 Website Homepage:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Any of us here, have about as much chance of becoming President.
This would be very entertaining but we all know Giuliani lacks the cahunas' to accept the challenge.
Paul Offers Giuliani Foreign Policy 'Reading Assignment' -- 05/25/2007
http://www.cnsnews.com:80/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200705/POL20070525a.html